Highway 1 to open April 16

A 40 foot stretch of Highway 1 collapsed north of Bixby Bridge last week and a two mile segment remains closed to all traffic between Bixby Bridge and Palo Colorado Road south of Carmel. Although Caltrans initially allowed foot and bicycle traffic through the closed portion of highway in Big Sur, the danger of further erosion prompted Caltrans District 5 to close all access on Highway 1 around Rocky Creek Bridge.

The road damage forces a 100 mile inland detour for bike riders and drivers traveling to popular Big Sur destinations between Carmel and Cambria, California. The Big Sur International Marathon on May 1, which traditionally runs along the collapsed stretch of highway, have also changed their course from a point-to-point race to an out-and-back to avoid the collapsed segment of highway.

2011 Amgen Tour of California Stage 5 will run from Seaside to Paso Robles along Highway 1 here. Race organizer AEG released a statement saying they’re in touch with Caltrans about the highway and they have no plans to change the route.

According to Caltrans, $2.5 million has been awarded to Condon Johnson for emergency repairs. Caltrans says the highway is expected to reopen on April 16.